NTSB Factual Report

On June 17, 2016, about 0946 eastern daylight time, a Champion, 7AC, N83578, impacted trees while attempting to depart from Gorham Airport (2G8) Gorham, New Hampshire. The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the wings and fuselage. It was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), Bar Harbor, Maine.

The pilot reported that he noted no anomalies during his preflight inspection and runup of the engine. During the takeoff, and once out of ground effect, the airplane would not climb, descended down to ground level, and collided with trees approximately 90 feet beyond the departure end of runway 30. The pilot stated that this was his first flight with a passenger and he was uncertain what to expect, but had recently flown an exemplar airplane with two 190 pound individuals, and it performed well.

The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for further examination.